Making Dumplings
The New Year arrived in a blaze of festivities, with Lily Evans's entire family gathered indoors to make dumplings together.
Lily's dumpling-making skills were the best—her dumplings looked like little pigs and rabbits, making Jack and Jill Evans, along with Hannah Lee and Gu Yu, laugh with delight.
"I want to eat a pig-shaped dumpling later!" Jack Evans declared.
"Me too! I want a pig-shaped dumpling—and a rabbit one!" Jill Evans chimed in, raising her hand eagerly.
The four children giggled and played around Mrs. Wang and Mrs. Chen, who were busy cutting window decorations, occasionally teasing the kids—a scene full of warmth and joy.
Leonard Li looked at the big family, smiling and sighing, "So this is how ordinary folk celebrate New Year—it's truly full of flavor!"
Lily stuck out her tongue and teased, "What, the noble young lord envies our farmhouse New Year? Your family's celebration must be lively, right?"
Leonard Li smiled, "Lively, yes, but it's meaningless. It's all fake affection, endless scheming. Every word is a test, full of twists and turns. If you speak plainly, they say you're rude and uncouth. Here is better—everyone says what they mean, it's lively and honest, no cunning tricks."
Sean Hayes listened and completely agreed. After years at the Marquis Weiyuan's estate, he'd seen plenty of false smiles and hidden daggers. Even holidays were full of plotting and insincerity—everyone had their own agenda, just thinking about it was tiring.
Yes, this place was better. Suddenly, Sean Hayes understood why General Hayes was so fond of this place—and of Lily.
Once the dumplings were ready, Belle called the maids and young servants to help cook them.
Lily smiled as she handed out lots of red envelopes to the staff—even the field workers received New Year’s gifts, everyone got a share.
"It’s New Year, don’t be so formal! You don’t need to serve us today—just enjoy the holiday!" Lily said to the beaming maids and servants.
"Thank you, Madam!" the staff replied in unison, faces full of joy.
"Sister Lily, where are our red envelopes?" Jack and Jill Evans asked, hand in hand, grinning.
Jack and Jill, looking like New Year’s picture children, tilted their heads and bowed, "Happy New Year, Sister Lily! We hope you have a big, healthy baby next year!"
The Evans family’s farmhouse was filled with laughter, warmth, and the delicious aroma of dumplings—a perfect New Year’s Eve.
Leonard Li laughed, "Lively, yes, but it's meaningless. It's all fake affection, endless scheming. Every word is a test, full of twists and turns. If you speak plainly, they say you're rude and uncouth. Here is better—everyone says what they mean, it's lively and honest, no cunning tricks."
Sean Hayes listened and completely agreed. After years at the Marquis Weiyuan's estate, he'd seen plenty of false smiles and hidden daggers. Even holidays were full of plotting and insincerity—everyone had their own agenda, just thinking about it was tiring.
Yes, this place was better. Suddenly, Sean Hayes understood why Alexander Hayes was so fond of this place—and of Lily.
Once the dumplings were ready, Belle called the maids and young servants to help cook them.
Lily smiled as she handed out lots of red envelopes to the staff—even the field workers received New Year’s gifts, everyone got a share.
"It’s New Year, don’t be so formal! You don’t need to serve us today—just enjoy the holiday!" Lily said to the beaming maids and servants.
"Thank you, Madam!" the staff replied in unison, faces full of joy.
"Sister Lily, where are our red envelopes?" Jack and Jill Evans asked, hand in hand, grinning.
Jack and Jill, looking like New Year’s picture children, tilted their heads and bowed, "Happy New Year, Sister Lily! We hope you have a big, healthy baby next year!"